Education

Plop your little one on ole Saint Nick’s lap and you’re sure to hear a list of Christmas demands. “I want a Barbie,” or “I want some Legos,” they’ll say.

But many children in Shelby County still know that the season is not just about a pile of gifts under the tree. In fact, students countywide have proven that they are just as eager to give as they are to receive this holiday.

Shelby County can breathe a little easier today. That’s because yesterday nearly 600 students in the district learned how to perform CPR.

As part of a district-wide initiative to get every student exposed to –if not eventually certified in– the life-saving skill, every student at West Middle School Thursday took part in a brief CPR course.

Though they were slow getting off the ground last year, the VEX club at Collins High School is quickly gaining ground this year.

Two teams in the school’s program have already competed this year and are among the top ten in the state and the school hopes this weekend’s competition will push them to the top of the list.

The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation hosts the VEX Robotics Competition, it is considered one of the ultimate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activity for middle school and high school students.

The district is expected to approve one of two proposed calendars tomorrow when the Shelby County Board of Education meets for its regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. at Central Office, 155 West Main Street.

Earlier this year the district’s calendar committee released two calendars to giving parents and school personnel an opportunity to contribute to the decision through an online poll.

Though reading a book and sitting through a lecture is a good way to learn about a topic, students at the Area Technology Center in the Health Sciences career pathway know that stepping out into the world and uncovering the information firsthand is an effective way to not only learn a lesson, but to also retain that information for life.

“This is an assignment they’ll never forget,” said Karen Smith, the health sciences teacher at the ATC.

Football season may be nearing its conclusion, but the Shelby County Board of Education pulled off a quarterback sneak Thursday night that essentially resulted in a big victory for middle school students, principals and educators.

East Middle School principal Rebecca Martin and West Middle principal Lorri Stivers joined in a celebratory line of high fives and handshakes following the meeting to thank the board for its unexpected decision to amend the budget to allow the purchase of Chromebooks for students in grades six through eight for the current school year.

Officials with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office have confirmed that a case has been forwarded to the Shelby County Attorney’s office concerning an altercation between a student and a substitute teacher that took place at Collins High School earlier this month.

However, the substitute teacher Bryan Schildknecht said he is the one looking to press charges.

Schildknecht said the student verbally and physically assaulted him prior to a questionable shoving quarrel unfolding –a portion of which was recorded on a student’s cell phone.